2018 Ford Mustang Configurator Is Now Live

You can now build your dream 2018 Mustang and see how much it will cost.

Ford has pushed the online configurator live for its 2018 Mustang following its announcement Monday that the upcoming sports car could work a sub-four second 0-60 time. Since then, I've been wasting a whole lot of time performing a great deal of in-depth analysis of the new Mustang's various configurations and pricing them out for you, our readers.

First, I decided to replicate the configuration that Ford described as capable of accelerating from 0-60 in under four seconds for the lowest possible price. This required the Mustang GT ($35,995), the 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission ($1,595), and the GT Performance Package ($3,995), just as Ford's announcement described. Selecting these options and nothing else resulted in a sub-four second 0-60 Mustang costing $41,585. That's less than half the price of a Porsche 911 that's slower from 0-60. Impressive.

What about the Mustang lover on a budget? The 3.7-liter V-6 engine is out for 2018, leaving the 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine on the lowest rung of the ladder. The starting MSRP for the EcoBoost Fastback is $25,585, which is actually less than the $26,195 of the 2017 model, but slightly more than the 2017 V-6 Fastback's price of $25,195. Select the 2017 EcoBoost Fastback, though, and $1,500 worth of incentives knock the price down to $25,595, compared to $26,485 for the 2018 model. Now's probably a good time to snatch up a 2017 model while you can.

So how would I equip my own 2018 Mustang? I'd start with a GT Fastback ($35,995), because although the EcoBoost is good, I'd always hit myself and say "I could've had a V-8" if I didn't. I'll take mine in Kona Blue, please (though my wife would probably want Orange Fury for an extra $495). No doubt the 10-speed automatic is an excellent transmission, but I'd prefer to row my own 6-speed manual. As much as I appreciate the Performance Package I'd probably skip it for the street driving I do. But the $895 Active Valve Performance Exhaust calls to me. A real spare tire is worth the $405 to me, because I don't trust fix-a-flat or prompt roadside assistance. That leads to a to a total of $39,295 for the Mustang GT I'd own in the real world.

On the other hand, if I stick to an EcoBoost, I could score the 101A option package ($2,000), the EcoBoost Performance Package ($2,495), and the MagneRide Damping System ($1,695) to soak up the lousy Massachusetts roads I drive, and only spend $32,675. Or a better equipped EcoBoost Premium with similar options for $35,690.